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Recommendations for how to spend a winter day in Langley, British Columbia

Winter is a magical season that, although it often doesn’t seem like it, doesn’t actually begin until the winter solstice on December 22nd. Generally, as soon as Halloween is over, and our pumpkins begin to rot, we change gears and plow head-first into the holiday season.

Or, at least some of us do. The chilly evening temperatures sure make it feel like it’s winter already. Whether you decide to hold off until the 22nd or not, the winter season is fast approaching and we have some ideas for how to enjoy it in Langley.

Although we don’t always see snow here in Langley, when it does decide to gift us with its presence, is it a most spectacular sight to see. If you’ve got your winter tires on, and are comfortable navigating the white roads, then head out to Williams Park and wander through the trails that follow alongside the frozen stream and bring your camera to capture the beauty that only the winter flurries can showcase. If you have a dog, you probably know how much they love hopping through snowbanks! Whether there’s snow or not, during the evening hours from December 7th to 19th the park comes alive for Christmas in Williams Park. The park is decorated by a group of volunteers, and you can view the spectacular show of lights as you drive through in the comfort of your vehicle.

Perhaps next, something to fill you up is in order. Grab some grub for lunch at a local favourite, the Hilltop Diner. This landmark restaurant is family-run with an old fashioned flair and offers a classic menu of burgers, breakfast and pie. Even if you’ve never been, you may recognize the place that’s located on the Fraser Highway near Aldergrove. It’s been featured in many MANY movies and TV series’ including; Bates Motel, The Butterfly Effect, Fringe, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Supernatural, The X-Files and many more. The building itself is famous, as is the restaurant’s spectacularly ginormous Everest Burger. Take The Everest Challenge, and you’ll be served a burger that begins with three 5 oz patties, thick cut double-smoked bacon, farm fresh mushrooms, farmer sausage, baked ham, mozzarella, cheddar and processed cheese, topped with crisp lettuce, ripe tomato and pickles. And if that doesn’t curb your hunger, don’t forget about the mountain of fresh hand cut fries that accompany it. (Photo above – credit: The Hilltop Diner. Filming the movie “The Company You Keep” starring Robert Redford, Shia LeBeouf, Susan Surandon, and Stanley Tucci).

Now that your stomach is full, it’s a great time to spend some energy and go get your Christmas tree! It’s so much fun to visit a local tree farm where you can sip hot chocolate or hot apple cider and nibble on a candy cane while perusing the rows upon rows of beautifully full and lush evergreen varieties. There are so many options to choose from including most often: Grand fir, Douglas fir, Noble fir, Fraser fir, balsam fir, and Norway spruce. You can choose to cut your own or purchase a pre-cut or live tree to bring home. Click here for a past blog post which includes a list of our local Christmas tree farms. (Photo above – credit: Dogwood Christmas Tree Farm).

On your way home with the tree, make a quick stop off at Milner Gardens to pick up a poinsettia or three, fresh from the grower!

Once your tree is out on the back deck drying off (we know, we know, it’s so hard to wait), and you’ve finished dinner, or perhaps are still full from your lunch atop Mt. Everest., a lovely winter evening calls for a festive cocktail and maybe an orange vanilla creme brulee. Head to Eighteen 27 located on the main street of downtown Fort Langley, the trendy restaurant features a delicious menu of high-end tapas and large single entrees in addition to their spirit and dessert menus. With regular in-house live musicians on the weekends, it’s a great place to warm up and unwind after a long winter’s day exploring Langley.

We hope that you get a chance to relax, unwind and celebrate the season this winter. What does your perfect winter day in Langley look like? Comment below – we’d love to know!

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Christina

“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire; it is the time for home”